(Seattle, WA) --
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the national
bar association of more than 6,000 attorneys who practice
immigration law, gather in Seattle this week for the
organization's 1999 Annual Conference on Immigration Law. The
event is designed to bring together those attorneys who represent
tens of thousands of American families and businesses seeking to
bring individuals lawfully into the United States.

This year's conference features a series of panels, roundtable
discussions and workshops on issues ranging from trial advocacy,
pending congressional legislation and other cutting edge issues
that affect most practitioners. The 2,500 attendees at the
four-day conference will choose from 80 sessions and 250 speakers
whose goal is to update them on the latest areas affected by new
laws and regulations, discuss interpretation and implementation
as well as provide advice on how to best serve their clients.

"This year's program includes basics and advanced sessions as
well as everything in between," said AILA President Steven Clark.
"Sessions highlight new developments and explore the nuances of
complex areas of immigration law."

Also on the agenda is the American Immigration Law
Foundation’s Award Dinner honoring Governor Gary Locke and AILA
Member Marc Van Der Hout for their years of dedication to the
immigration field. Governor Locke, the son of an immigrant family
and the nation’s first Chinese-American Governor, will receive
the AILF Torchlight Award that is presented annually to
outstanding immigrants or immigrant advocates. Marc Van Der Hout,
the recipient of the AILF Honorary Fellow Award, is best known
for his work on pro bono cases and impact litigation affecting
the lives of many thousands of immigrants.

The conference is scheduled to run from June 10-13 at The
Washington State Convention Center.

Founded in
1946, AILA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that provides
its Members with continuing legal education, information,
professional services, and expertise through its 34 chapters and
over 75 national committees. AILA is an Affiliated Organization
of the American Bar Association and is represented in the ABA
House of Delegates.